All aboard? It’s time to channel your inner Viking – but in something a little more high tech than a longboat. Your transport here is a repurposed amphibious vehicle from the Second World War, which trundles thrillingly straight from land to river with a – you guessed it – splash!

10 of us booked this excursion having no idea just how informative but hilariously funny it would be. Our guide, Anthony, was fantastic! Our faces ached with the amount we laughed.

Tigerlilly1967, TripAdvisor

Making pit stops at many of Dublin’s most beloved landmarks, and narrated by seriously energetic and engaging guides, this tour encourages you to get right into character. Rip-roaring Viking yells are encouraged throughout – especially when passing pedestrians!

Traditional Irish music and the Irish pub go hand in hand. Truth be told, there’s nothing quite like a rousing session by the fireside, toes tapping to the beat and singing along when the chorus comes around again.

Our two musicians were amazing and so entertaining. They told funny stories and played excellent music. I loved it!

PSIMMS, TRIPADVISOR

Led by two local musicians, this evening tour takes you from the famous Temple Bar through the much-loved trad music haunts along O’Connell Street, Merrion Row, Talbot Street and more. Seats are reserved everywhere you go, and although drinks aren’t included, the free craic is unlimited!

Pounding the pavement is a sure way to get to know a city – but how about paddling along its river? The Liffey bisects Dublin, like a flowing barrier that keeps the friendly rivalry between northsiders and southsiders alive.

We had a wonderful time on our City Kayaking tour! Our guide, Lee, provided great kayaking instruction, and had lots of interesting stories to tell as we travelled along the Liffey.

Mccarthy302, TripAdvisor

Taking to the water is a whole different experience. Gliding under the Ha’penny Bridge; cruising past the 18th-century Custom House; or gazing up at the masts of the Jeanie Johnston from right beside it, you can appreciate just how central the river has been throughout Dublin’s remarkable evolution from Viking settlement to modern capital.

The Literary Pub Crawl walks you through the streets of Dublin, enlivening them with the words of Ireland’s greatest writers. Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Brendan Behan are all brought to life through the acting and orating of the tour guides, whose passion comes second only to their expertise.

The Lit Crawl was the first thing recommended to me on my first visit by a displaced Dubliner, and I’ve never received a better bit of travel advice.

John Giuffo, Forbes

As well as the perfectly crafted words of our literary greats, the tour is peppered with stories of the wordsmiths’ lives and loves, rooting them right here on the streets where you stand. It’s a powerful reminder of how Ireland has inspired genius for generations – maybe you’ll pick up a pen yourself when the night ends!

There’s a lot more to Dublin than the city itself – but if you’re only visiting for a short time, the Malahide Castle and Coastal Tour takes just half a day to whisk you from the city centre out to stunning Malahide Castle. Here, you’ll be treated to a guided tour of the storied pile where the Talbot family lived for 800 years, and can wander the Victorian Walled Botanical Gardens in its 250 acres of pristine parkland.

If you’re lucky, you will get Aidan as your guide for the castle tour. He is amazing. Don’t miss the butterfly house and find the secret garden. There might be a peacock walking around just waiting for you.

JanainaLV, TripAdvisor

Getting back on the road, the bus takes the coastal route to Howth, the jewel in the crown of north county Dublin. The views of Dublin Bay and the mountains make this part of the trip a highlight. Don’t forget your camera.

The Gravedigger Ghost Tour is after dark, and shows off Dublin in quite a different light. Departing the city centre each evening, this tour brings you from St Audeon’s haunted church to historic Kilmainham Gaol, passing Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral on the way to your final destination: The Gravediggers’ Pub. Next to Glasnevin Cemetery, here you get a restorative drink and a lesson on body snatching.

What a fantastic, fun evening! Without giving too much away, you will experience Dublin's dark and ghostly past in a whole new way!”

With the purity of Ireland’s natural larder, Ireland’s food is always packed with outstanding flavours, ably assisted by chefs who love putting a contemporary twist on traditional dishes. Dublin, of course, reaps the rewards with great eateries scattered across the city.

…the gold standard for urban food tours in Ireland – and thankfully, one that adapts and evolves to include new trends, stores and scenes as it grows.

Pól Ó Conghaile, Irish Independent Travel Editor

Run by a mix of food writers, photographers and chefs, the Dublin Tasting Trail is made for foodies, by foodies. Over the course of three hours, you’ll visit six or seven venues, and enjoy a deliciously authentic taste of Dublin.